This is just a quick question. Our family social worker called me yesterday. He had received a copy of the Forensic Psychologist's Assessment that the police had asked for with respect to my eldest son. Our social worker told me that there was some quite 'disturbing' content in the report. I asked him to tell me what this was and he read out some details that my son had disclosed during the assessment. The disclosure relates to events that happened nearly two years ago and which were included as part of the context for the first Child Protection proceedings that we underwent last year. The events relate to my younger son's behaviour towards my eldest. I can distinctly remember details of the disclosure being included in he Core Assessment for last year's Child Protection proceedings.

My social worker said that he has a duty to inform the police because the details disclose 'sexual abuse'. Yet, the police were present at the Strategy Meeting this year and last year when the disclosure was mentioned. Why should it need to be referred to the police again?

I am a little paranoid after my eldest son's arrest, but now I fear there will be another dawn raid and my youngest will end up handcuffed and interred in a police cell.

Should I contact CSC and point out that these events are well known and have been included as evidence in two Child Protection proceedings, so really, the police must already have a record? I don't want to contact CSC at all, but if it can prevent my 15 year old being arrested, I will.

From your post it is clear that you are very worried about what might happen to your youngest son following disclosures made against him by his older brother.

It seem on the face of it that the police requested a psychological report on your eldest son to inform their decision about him and why he was arrested. The assessment has obviously thrown up information such as that shared by the social worker. Children Services would have to provide information about the report to the police since they requested it. I do not see how the content of the report can be kept from the police.Is the nature of the abuse disclosed different to what has previously been disclosed? If it has already been dealt with or considered in child protection conferences, this information will be available since the police attend the conference. The social worker would be aware of what was already known about the sexual abuse.

I hope the police will not be coming to arrest your youngest son, but I really do not see how the information can be kept from the police. There is no harm in you pointing out to children services that the information has already been considered in child protection conferences.

The police will decide what to do with the information as they requested the report in the first place.

Suzie, thank you for the reply. I have already left messages for the social worker, but he is on leave at the moment. However, i have arranged to talk to him about the report and the information on Wednesday after the session he has with my youngest son. No-one in uniform has come hammering at the door yet, so I assume the police are leaving his aspect of our situation to Children's Social Care.

The police came with our children's social worker to talk to my eldest son in hospital today. The police officer was asking questions about the incidents that my eldest son had disclosed during the forensic assessment. The disclosures relate to incidents that were discussed at the Initial Child Protection Conference last year. I am just confused why they need revisiting and why, if this was considered to be abuse, the police did not interview my children (or ourselves) last year. My eldest son and I moved to my sister's house as a place of safety before the Child Protection proceedings last year.

I am very confused. I have reassured my eldest that he has done the right thing and that his brother will now get the help he needs. However, my eldest said the police have mentioned video links and court.

I have said nothing to my youngest. He is co-operating with CSC and undertaking work relating to sexual behaviour (something called an ASK booklet and lots of questions), and I am trying not to think about my own culpability (e.g.did I leave it too long? have I been too naive and so on?) however, I am scared about what will happen.

I am sorry that you are still feeling very anxious about the disclosures made by your eldest and how this is likely to impact on your 14 year old.

It is small comfort, but I do think you should try not to worry as the disclosures may result in your youngest son getting the help you might need.

Now that youngest son has decided to engage with services this is likely to be very much in his favour as this shows he will be able to work through his difficulties with professionals.

Should there be a need for the police to speak with your son, I hope it will not be too difficult for him. You may wish to check out this service Just for Kids Law on 0203 174 2279. They may be able to give you and your son some assistance.

The best thing is for you to wait and see now things progress. Blaming yourself and getting stress will only make you less able to help your children, please try to keep strong it what I fully understand are difficult circumstances.

Thank you for the reassurance Suzy. As you can tell, I am not happy with the way our 'case' has been handled. CSC seem to be very capable of talking to the police, but, it is the start of another new term and my youngest still does not know what is happening with respect to education. I have contacted the PRU to ask when/if he will be returning there but they have not returned my calls. I have contacted a local college about a 14-16 programme for a subject my son is interested in, but they only take referrals from schools or other professionals. So my 15 year old just carries on with the activities we can provide (and these are sparse and do no provide him with the chance to build up relationships) and attends the sexual behaviour sessions. I have asked my son to speak to the social worker today about education because I want agencies to know he wants provision outside the home.

My eldest has been in hospital now for eight weeks and he is only there at the moment because no-one can/will provide accommodation for him. I have been in touch with various agencies, but these, again, only take professional referral. One agency is a little more approachable and the coordinator has spoken to me about what can be provided (and this seems to be something that could meet my son's needs) and he has spoken to my social worker. The social worker said the provision was expensive and even asked me if my son could perhaps return home if nowhere could be found (with lots of support of course). I have ignored this and arranged for the coordinator to meet my son despite any cost. I feel like asking CAMHS to charge CSC for the extra time my son is spending on the ward and see if that will get the ball rolling!

I am really angry and frustrated. How can agencies expect the situation to improve if they cannot/will not provide adequate education or accommodation for my children?

I do not want to go down the complaints route because it is so time consuming. However, what can I do to ensure we do not have another year of inertia? Finding appropriate accommodation for my eldest and education outside the home for my youngest are integral parts of each child's CPP, but nothing has happened and I suspect it is because agencies are considering the cheapest option.

I can see from you post how frustrated you are feeling due to lack of action on the part of children services.

Whilst you do not have to make a formal complaint at this stage, I think there is nothing wrong in you writing a letter to children services pointing out that you have been and want to continue to work with them for the benefit of your child. That you feel the support being provided is lacking in a practical sense, your son is without proper education provision, and your eldest son is languishing in hospital. There is a child protection plan in place and children services have a statutory duty to ensure the children needs are properly met. I suggest you send the letter to the social worker, the team manager and head of children services. Keep a copy for yourself and ask for a written response. Our advice sheet relating to child protection procedures is here for your information. A copy of our advice sheet about family support for children in need is also included here for you to read through as your children clearly have needs which are not being met by children services although they have a statutory duty to children in their area who are in need.

You can explain that you are not making a formal complaint but in the spirit of working cooperatively you need to have confirmation of what they intend to do to meet your children’s needs. If the response you receive is not satisfactory, then you will have no alternative but to pursue a formal complaint. Please read our advice sheet relating to challenging decisions and making complaints.

I suggest you contact this organisation in relation to your son’s education as they might be able to assist you. You should also make contact with your local education authority.

Have you considered agreeing to your eldest son being accommodated so that children services can provide accommodation suitable to his needs? You may also want to contact the Challenging Behaviour Foundation on 0300 666 0126 for help with your youngest.

Should you wish to speak to an adviser, please feel free to telephone our free and confidential advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

My youngest child is being 'interviewed under caution' tomorrow. I was informed yesterday, so I have had one day to find a solicitor. It was my youngest's first day back in education (home tuition again!) today and I am afraid this interview with the police may increase his anxiety significantly and result in another bout of avoidant behaviour. I cannot be an 'appropriate adult' due to the familial nature of the inquiry. Therefore our social worker (who works with my youngest on the sexual behaviour course) will be the appropriate adult. Is this not a conflict of interests? This interview is taking place despite the fact that my eldest said he did not want to take the allegation further and despite the fact that he social worker and police officer who interviewed my eldest son agreed that it would effect my eldest son's mental health severely if he had to give evidence. Is it then in either child's best interest?

I feel like I am constantly moaning but so much is happening at the moment that I do not truly understand. i know the police have a job to do but is this the best way for them to do it?

If your youngest child is being interviewed under caution, he should also have a solicitor who specialises in criminal law advising him. You should consider raising your concerns about a potential conflict of interest with the solicitor.